Retaining means for coupler carrier



April 7, 1959 c. D. MCCLURG RETAINING MEANS FOR COUPLER CARRIER Filed April 28. 1955 IIIII INVENTOR 04/?! own czam,

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' ATTORNEY United States Patent RETAINING MEANS FOR COUPLER CARRIER Carl D. McClurg, Columbus, Ohio, assignor to The Buckeye Steel Castings Company, Columbus, Ohio Application April 28, 1955, Serial No. 504,596

9 Claims. (Cl. 213-61) The present invention relates to railway draft riggings and pertains to supporting means for the draw bar The carrier for a railway coupler of the interlocking type is mounted in such a manner that the stem of the coupler may angle vertically. It is for this reason that the carrer member on which the coupler stem rests is spring supported on the striker. Such arrangements are known and the prior art includes means for limiting upward movement of the carrier member with respect to the striker in response; to the energy stored in the springs. It is an object of the present invention to provide improvements in the means for maintaining the springs supporting the carrier member in a partially compressed condition and at the same time limit upward movements of the carrier member relative to the striker.

A more specific object of the invention pertains to the provision of lugs within the trough structure of the striker and to provide outwardly extending ears on opposite ends of the carrier member so that a removable pin or key overlying each pair of ears extends under the respective lugs to limit upward movement of the carrier member.

A still further object of the invention is to provide means at the ends of a carrier member for temporarily supporting pins which move downwardly with the carrier member during initial compression of its supporting springs so that the pins are supported in positions for movement under lugs carried by the striker where they retain the carrier member in operative association with the striker with the supporting springs in a partially compressed state.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the railway coupler and draft rigging art as the disclosure proceeds and upon consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein an embodiment of the invention is disclosed.

In the drawing: 1

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of the lower portion of a striker and showing a carrier member retained in operative relation with the striker by means exhibiting the invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional viewtake'n on the line 22 of Fig. 1 with the supporting springs for the carrier member omitted.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1. i

Fig. 4 is a sectional 'view taken on the line 4--4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a similar view illustrating the manner in which one key is supported on the carrier memberprior to being shifted to a retaining position.

-other end of the carrier member.

2,880,887 Patented Apr. 7, 1959 'ice The invention is directed to means for retaining the carrier member in association with the striker and the supporting springs for the carrier member. The striker except for the provision of lugs within the trough structure as hereinafter described may be of a conventional construction and includes side walls 7 and 8 having an open area 9 therebetween for receiving the draw bar of a railway coupler. A trough structure isv provided at the lower forward portion of the striker which includes a front wall 11 and a rear wall 12. The trough structure is closed in the lower central portion by means of a bottom wall 14. The front wall is provided with a centrally located opening 16 and a similar opening 17 is provided in the back wall 12. Additional openings 18 are provided in the front wall for weight reducing purposes. The openings 16 and 17 permit the escape of debris and the like and additional openings 19 at opposite ends of the bottom wall 14 further facilitatethe escape of water, cinders or the like from the trough. A plurality of spring positioning lugs 21 project upwardly from the bottom wall 14 for maintaining the lower ends of three helical springs 22 in position on the bottom of the trough structure. The major portions of these springs are accommodated in the trough structure and resiliently support the carrier member 25.

The carrier member is formed with a top plate 23 which has a fiat upper surface on which the coupler stem (not shown) rests. A web 24 depends from the top plate 23 and in the assembled relationship with the striker extend along the inner face of the front wall 11 of the trough structure as shown in Fig. 2. A web 26 depends from the rear portion of the top plate 23 of the carrier member and extends along the inner face of the rear wall 12 of the trough structure in the assembled relationship of the carrier and the striker. A transversely extending end wall 27 joins the front and rear webs 24 and 26 adjacent one end of the carrier member 25 and a similar transversely disposed Wall 28 joins the front and rear-webs 24 and 26 adjacent the Three spring positioning lugs 29 project downwardly from the top plate 23 for maintaining the upper ends of the supporting springs 22 in operative association with the carrier member 25.

The side wall 7 of the striker carries an inwardly extending lug 31 which is disposed in a central position with respect to the walls 11 and 12 of the trough structure as shown in Fig. 4. The lug 31 has a straight under surface 32 as best shown in Fig. 6. A similar lug 33 is carried by the side wall 8 which is also disposed in a central position with respect to the front and rear walls 11 and 12 of the trough structure as shown in Fig. 3. The lug 33 has a straight under surface similar to that shown at 32 in association with the lug 31. The lugs 31 and 33 may be formed integral with the striker. I

The front web 24 of the carrier member 25 is provided with an ear 36 whch extends outwardly beyond the end wall 28 as shown in Fig. 1 and a similar ear 37 extends laterally from the rear web 26 as'shown in Fig. 3. These ears are provided with horizontal upper surfaces- 38 and adjacent an outer surface of the end wall 28. The front web 24 at the opposite end carries an outwardly extending car 41 (Fig. l) and the rear web 26 is provided with an outwardly'extending ear 42 as shown in Fig. 5. Thesev ears extend beyond the end wall 27 of the carrier member. A horizontal upper surface, 43 is provided on the ear 42 and a horizontally aligned surface 44 is carried by the car 41 both adjacent the outer surface of the end wall 27. The ears 36 and 37 are each provided with an additional horizontal surface -51 arranged in a common horizontal plane below :and outwardly .of the aligned horizontal surfaces 38 and 39. The ears 41 and 42 each have an additional horizontal surface 51 thereon in a common horizontal plane below .and outwardly of the aligned horizontal surfaces 43 .and 44. The 26818.36 and 37 are spaced from .each other transversely of the carrier member to :avoid engagement with the lug .33 when the carrier member moves downwardly in the trough structure. The ears'41 and 42 are likewise spaced transversely of the carrier member to avoid engagement with the lug .31 when the carrier moves downwardly in the trough structure.

The means for retaining the carrier member in operative association-with the striker :and for maintaining the springs 22in axpartially compressed condition includes twopins or :keys 46 :and :47. These keys are desirably of rectangular shape in .cross section and each has a length slightly less than the transverse dimensions of the trough structure adjacent the side walls 7 and 8 for the striker.

In assembling the carrier member 25 on the striker the three springs .22 are first introduced into the trough structure with the lower ends thereof engaging the bottom wall 14 around the lugs .21. The key 46 is arranged transversely of the ears 41 .and 42.on the horizontal aligned surfaces 43 and '44 in ,a position adjacent the outer surface of the end 'wall 27 as shown in Fig. 6. The key 47'1iS arranged in a similar position transversely of the ears 3,6 and .37 andiis supported on the horizontally aligned surfaces 38 and 39. The carrier member with the keys supported thereon is then moved downwardly into the trough kstructureaandj the upper ends or the supporting springs 22 QD'g3EQJ1hBTUIIdCI surface of the top plate 23 around-the. positioning lugs 29. A force is applied, to .the topsurfacexof the carrier member .so that itmoves downwardly. relativeto the striker against the action :of the :springs 22. EE-he .key 46,.supported in :the position .shown in :Fig. 6 avoids engagement 'with the inner end'of the lug SI-duringsuch downward movement of the carrier member relative to the striker. The key 47 supported on :the:surfaces .38 and 391is also in a positiontoavoid engagement with'the inner end of the lug 33. The carrier member 25 is moved below the-posjitionshown in Fig. 6 and belowthe .positionshown in Fig. 5.

When the carrier member has been depressed suffi- -.ciently in the trough structure-the key 46 may be shifted from the position shown in Fig. 6 onto the fiat surfaces 51 of .theears 41 and 42. An qopening53 is provided in the side wall 7 of thezstrikergsothataccess may be gained :to-thekey 46 through. the opening;53 for manually ,mov-

ing it from the surfaces 43 .onto the surfaces 51. An opening 56 is provided ,;in the :side Wall 8 of the striker .below the lug 33 (Fig. 1) :so that the key 47 ,may be moved 'fromits positionaon thes'surfaces 38 and ,39 of the cars 36 and 37 :onto flat surfaces-51. The keys 46 and 47.when in position You the-surfaces 5,1 of the ears are located-under therespective lugs 31 and 33. The force retaining the carrier member 25 in the depressedposition may then be released so that the carrier member moves upwardly in response .to the action \of .-the springs 22. The :keys 46 and :47 ,prevent upward movement of the carrier member beyond the position shown .in :Fig. 5.

- The. keysiare :retained inpnsitions .under 1116 lugs 31 and 33 by the verticalzshonldersriz .;(.Fig. on each :of :the The-keys :and :47 are "prevented from moving lengthwise -or transversely with respect to this carrier :member because the'ends ofthe-keys are'in abutting re lationship with the inner-*surfaces of the front wallll and the rear wall 12 of "the trough structure as shown in.Fig..4. The openings 53 and '56-are of less width than the spacing between the :walls 11 and 12to prevent in- :advertent escape ofithe keys 'therethrough.

The keys are readilyremovableato permit dismantling .spaced .fromeach other straddling the other of said lugs having a length slightly :less than the transverse dimenof the carrier member from the striker. In such an operation the carrier member 23 is forced downwardly. The keys may then be displaced from the surfaces 51 by applying a suitable tool or the fingers of an individual through the openings 53 and 56 to position the keys on the surfaces 43 and 44 and on the surfaces 38 and 39. Thereafter the means holding the carrier member in the lowered position may be removed and the carrier member is free to move upwardly and may be readily removed from the striker casting.

While the invention has been described with reference to specific structural features it .will be appreciated that changes'may be made in the details and-in the shape of the separate parts. Such modifications and others including changes in the overallorganization may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An assembly for limiting upward movement of a carrier member of a railwaydraft attachment comprising, a striker, a trough structure carried by the lower forward portion of the striker having front and rear walls, a lug integal with the striker extending into one end of the trough structure between said front and rear walls, another lug integral with the striker extending into the other end of the trough structure between said front and rear walls, a carrier member having portions extending into an upper portion of the trough structure, means resiliently supporting the carrier member on the striker,

a pair of cars extending from one end of the carrier. member spaced from each other straddling one of saidi lugs, another pair of cars extending from the other end i of the carriermemberspaced from each other straddling the other of said lugs, a'key extending transversely of the trough structure under one of said lugs and overlying the associated pair of said ears, said key having a length slightly less than the transverse dimension of the trough structure with ends of the key in abutting relationship with said front and rear walls, another key extending transversely of the trough structure under the other of said lugs and overlying the other pair of said ears, said second key having a length slightly less than the transverse dimension of the trough structure with the ends thereof in abutting relationship with said front'and rear walls.

2. .In a draft appliance means for limiting upward movement of a carrier member of a railway draft attachment comprising, astriker including side walls, a trough structure carried by thelower forward portion of the striker :having from and rear walls extending between said side walls, a lug integral with one side wall extending intothe'trough'structure between said front and rear :walls, another lug integral with the other side wall extending into the trough structure between said front and rear walls, a carrier member having portions extending into an upper portion ofthe trough structure, means resiliently supporting the carrier member on the striker, a pair of cars extending from onecnd of the carrier member spaced from .each other straddling one of said lugs and terminating adjacent .one side wall, another pair of ears extending from the other end of :the carriermember and terminating adjacent the other side .wall, a key extending transversely .of the trough structure under one of said lugs and overlying one pair of said ears, said key sion of the :trough structure vwith ,ends of 'the key in abutting relationship with said front andrear walls, an-

other keyextending:transverselyof the trough structure under the other of said lugs and overlying the other pair .o'f-said tears, said second key having a length slightly less than the transverse dimension of the trough structure with the ends thereof in abutting relationship with said front ::and ireargwalls, and :verticalsurfaces on said ears maintaining the keys under the respective lugs.

3. A retaining assembly for the carrier member of a railway draft rigging comprising, a striker including a generally vertical wall thereon, a carrier member, means resiliently supporting the carrier member on the striker for vertical movements relative to said wall, a pair of cars extending from the carrier member towards said wall, a lug carried by said wall extending between said cars, a substantially horizontal under surface on said lug, horizontally aligned upper surfaces on said ears positioned laterally of the free end of said lug, a key supported on said horizontal surfaces with the intermediate portion thereof in position to pass the free end of the lug without engagement therewith, additional horizontally aligned surfaces on said ears with major portions thereof positioned in a vertical plane of said lug, and said key being shiftable onto the second horizontal surfaces whereby the intermediate portion of said key engages the under surface of said lug to limit upward movement of the carrier member relative to the striker.

4. A retaining assembly according to claim 3, wherein the key has a flat surface thereon preventing inadvertent rolling thereof from the first horizontal surfaces during mounting of the carrier member in operative relationship with the striker.

5. A retaining assembly for the carrier member of a railway draft appliance comprising a striker, a generally vertical wall on the striker, a carrier member, means resiliently supporting the carrier member on the striker for vertical movements relative to said wall, a pair of ears carried by the carrier member extending towards said wall substantially at right angles with respect thereto, said ears terminating adjacent said wall, a lug carried by said wall extending parallel to and between said ears, horizontally aligned upper surfaces on said ears positioned laterally of the free end of said lug, a key supported on said horizontal surfaces in a position with an intermediate portion thereof to pass the free end of the lug without engagement therewith, second horizontally aligned surfaces on said ears with the major portions positioned in a vertical plane of the lug, said key being shiftable onto the second horizontal surfaces wherein said intermediate portion of said key engages an under surface of said lug to limit upward movement of the carrier member relative to the striker, and vertical surfaces on the ears between the first and second horizontal surfaces maintaining the key under the lug and along said wall.

6. A carrier member for a railway draft appliance comprising, a top plate, a front web depending from said top plate, a rear web depending from said top plate, a transverse end wall connecting ends of said front and rear webs, a transverse end wall connecting the other ends of said front and rear webs, a continuation of said front web beyond the first end wall forming an ear, a continuation of said rear web beyond the first end wall forming a second ear, a continuation of said front web beyond the second end wall forming a third ear, a continuation of the rear web beyond the second end wall forming a fourth ear, horizontally aligned upper surface on the first and second ears adjacent the first end wall, horizontally aligned upper surfaces on the third and fourth ears adjacent the second end wall, horizontally aligned upper surfaces on the first and second ears positioned below and outwardly of the first surfaces thereon, and horizontally aligned upper surfaces on the third and fourth ears positioned below and outwardly of the first surfaces thereon.

7. A striker for a railway draft rigging comprising, side walls, a trough structure having front and rear Walls carried by lower forward portions of said side walls, a lug carried by one side wall extending laterally therefrom into said trough structure between the front and rear walls thereof, another lug carried by the other side wall extending laterally therefrom into the trough structure between the front and rear Walls thereof, each lug having a substantially horizontal under surface thereon, each side wall having an opening therethrough with its upper boundary substantially at the level of the under surface of the associated lug and extending therebelow, and said openings each being of less width than the transverse dimension of said trough structure with the side boundaries thereof spaced respectively from said front and rear walls.

8. In a draw bar support for a railway coupler, a striker, a carrier member, means resiliently supporting said carrier member on the striker, means guiding said carrier member for vertical movements relative to the striker, a pair of ears carried by the carrier member extending generally horizontally therefrom, a lug on the striker extending between said ears, another pair of cars carried by the carrier member spaced from the first ears and extending generally horizontally therefrom in a direction opposite to that of the first ears, another lug on the striker extending between the second pair of ears, a key detached from the striker and the carrier member positioned under one lug and overlying one pair of ears, another key detached from the striker and the carrier member positioned under the other lug and overlying the other pair of ears, and means maintaining said keys in said positions.

9. An assembly limiting upward movement of the carrier member of a railway draft attachment comprising, a striker, a carrier member arranged at a lower forward portion of the striker, springs supporting the carrier member on said striker, means guiding said carrier member for vertical movements relating to the striker, a pair of ears on the carrier member extending therefrom, substantially horizontally aligned upper surfaces on said ears, a lug on the striker extending between said ears, a second pair of ears on the carrier member spaced from the first pair of ears and extending therefrom, substantially horizontally aligned upper surfaces on said second pair of ears, another lug on the striker extending between the second pair of cars, a generally horizontal under surface on each lug, a key under one lug and overlying the upper surfaces on one pair of ears, another key under the other lug and overlying the upper surfaces on the other pair of ears, and means maintaining the key under the respective lugs and over said upper surfaces on the respective pairs of cars.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,680,526 Kahler June 8, 1954 

